[Herpetology • 2023] Litoria lakekamu • A New Species of Small Green Treefrog (Anura: Pelodryadidae) from the Lakekamu Basin in Southern Papua New Guinea

Litoria lakekamu 

Richards & Bickford, 2023

DOI: 10.5358/hsj.42.43

Abstract

We describe a new species of very small (male body length 22.0–22.8 mm), green treefrog in the pelodryadid genus Litoria Tschudi from lowland rainforest on the southern margin of Papua New Guinea's central cordillera. The new species is morphologically most similar to Litoria leucova, a small green treefrog known only from the north-flowing Sepik River catchment in western Papua New Guinea. It differs from that species by having longer limbs (TL/SVL 0.56–0.60 vs. 0.53–0.55), a poorly defined (vs. prominent) tympanum, in having a distinct lemon yellow mid-lateral line, and in its unique advertisement call comprising a slowly repeated series of short clicks followed by a discrete group of pulses produced rapidly but with highly variable inter-pulse intervals. Although genetic data are not available, the new species' association with a fast-flowing rocky stream suggests that its relationships may lie with other torrent-dwelling Litoria species.

KEYWORDS: advertisement calls, frog, Litoria lakekamu sp. nov, morphology, taxonomy

 

Images in life of: (A) Litoria lakekamu sp. nov. paratype SAMA R70114, (B) Litoria lakekamu sp. nov. paratype PNGNM (FN: 11625),
(C) Litoria leucova SAMA R71844 from the Sepik River catchment, northern Papua New Guinea, (D) Litoria lodesdema SAMA R64772 from New Britain Island, Papua New Guinea.

Photographs by S. Richards.

Litoria lakekamu sp. nov.

(English name: Lakekamu pygmy treefrog)

Diagnosis: The new species is distinguished from all other Litoria by the following unique combination of characters: size very small (SVL of four males 20.0–22.8 mm, females unknown); dorsum in life predominantly green; vomerine teeth absent; tympanum indistinct; finger webbing extensive, reaching distal edge of subarticular tubercle at base of penultimate phalanx on outer edge of Finger 3 and inner edge of Finger 4; finger discs slightly larger than or same size as toe discs; webbing on toes extending nearly to base of all discs except Toe 4 where it reaches midway between subarticular tubercle at base of penultimate phalanx and disc on both sides of digit; dermal fringes on limbs and below vent absent; pigmentation on nictitating membrane restricted to scattered flecks at dorsal margin; advertisement call a series of short (0.017–0.053 s) distinctly pulsed rasping notes repeated at 2.1–6.5 s intervals, followed by a discrete group of rapidly repeated pulses with highly variable inter-pulse intervals.

Etymology: The specific name lakekamu is a noun in apposition referring to the type and only known locality [Lakekamu Basin, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea] of this species.

Torrential stream habitat of Litoria lakekamu sp. nov. on the Sapoi River near Ivimka Camp, Lakekamu Basin, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea. Males were calling from vegetation along the stream bank.

Photograph by S. Richards.

Stephen J. Richards and David Bickford. 2023. A New Species of Small Green Treefrog (Pelodryadidae: Litoria) from the Lakekamu Basin in Southern Papua New Guinea. Current Herpetology. 42(1);  43-54. DOI: 10.5358/hsj.42.43

[Phycology • 2023] Halimeda taiwanensis • Species Diversity and Distribution of the Calcareous Green Macroalgae Halimeda (Chlorophyta: Ulvophyceae) in Taiwan, Spratly Island, and Dongsha Atoll

Halimeda taiwanensis 

Phetcharat, Pattarach, Chen, Wang, Liu & Mayakun, 2023

 

DOI: 10.1111/pre.12516

SUMMARY

The calcified green algal genus Halimeda is one of the most ecologically important but morphologically diverse seaweeds in sub-tropical and tropical waters. Because of its high morphological plasticity, the identification of Halimeda species based on morphological characters is challenging without the assistance of molecular analysis. To date, the species diversity of Halimeda in Taiwan and its overseas territories has not been investigated with the assistance of DNA sequencing, and this taxonomic knowledge gap should be filled. The present study initiates a systematic examination of the species diversity and distribution of Halimeda in Taiwan, Spratly Island, and Dongsha Atoll in the South China Sea, using DNA sequence data (plastid tufA gene and rbcL) and morphological data. Our DNA analyses revealed the presence of 10 Halimeda species (Halimeda borneensis, Halimeda cylindracea, Halimeda discoidea, Halimeda distorta, Halimeda macroloba, Halimeda minima, Halimeda opuntia, Halimeda renschii, Halimeda taiwanensis sp. nov., and Halimeda velasquezii) in the waters around Taiwan, Spratly Island, and Dongsha Atoll. The majority of the species could be readily distinguished by their morphological and anatomical characters. The proposed new species, H. taiwanensis, was differentiated not only by our algorithmic species delimitation analyses (statistical parsimony network analysis and automated barcode gap discovery), but also by its morphological features. The proposed new species differs from two externally resembled species, H. cuneata and H. discoidea, in having an undulated segment margin, the complete fusion of medullary siphons at the node, the lack of segment stalk, and the presence of a large primary utricle. Here, we present the up-to-date taxonomic account, molecular diversity, and geographical distribution of Halimeda spp. in Taiwan and associated areas of the South China Sea. Environmental factors that might drive the occurrence and latitudinal distribution of the species are also discussed.

Keywords: genetic diversity, Halimeda, morphology, sea-surface currents, tufA

 

Sinjai Phetcharat, Kattika Pattarach, Pin-Chen Chen, Wei-Lung Wang, Shao-Lun Liu and Jaruwan Mayakun. 2023. Species Diversity and Distribution of the Calcareous Green Macroalgae Halimeda in Taiwan, Spratly Island, and Dongsha Atoll, with the proposal of Halimeda taiwanensis sp. nov. Phycological Research. DOI: 10.1111/pre.12516

  sci.psu.ac.th/news/2023/03/new-seaweed-discovered-by-sci-researcher/

[Botany • 2023] Hoya medusa • A New Species of Hoya R.Br. (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae) from the Philippines

 

Hoya medusa  M.D.De Leon, Cabactulan, Cuerdo & Rodda, 

in De Leon, Cabactulan, Cuerdo & Rodda, 2023. 

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.222.98275

Abstract

Hoya medusa M.D.De Leon, Cabactulan, Cuerdo & Rodda, sp. nov. (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae) is described from the Philippines. Even though numerous taxa with a shrubby habit from this area are known, it can be immediately separated because of its urceolate corolla and prominent elongated corona lobes. No other species in the genus possesses such a combination of characters.

Keywords: Hoya edeni, Hoya linavergarae, Hoya odorata, Luzon, Marsdenieae

Hoya medusa photographed in cultivation
A flower, top view B corolla, from underneath C flower, side view two corolla lobes removed D flower, side view E corona, top view F corona, from underneath G, H corona, side view I calyx and ovaries J pollinarium.

(Photographs by R.D. Cuerdo).

Hoya medusa flowering branch.

(Photograph by M.D. De Leon).

 Hoya medusa M.D.De Leon, Cabactulan, Cuerdo & Rodda, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Similar to Hoya edeni King & Hook.f. in its shrubby habit and caudate and curved inner corona lobe processes, distinct by the corona processes (wavy to serpentine in H. medusa versus linear and curved at the tip in H. edeni), corolla shape (urceolate in H. medusa versus rotate with reflexed lobes in H. edeni) and size (8.5–10 mm in H. medusa versus c. 20 mm in H. edeni).

 

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the serpentine processes of the inner corona reminiscent of the snake headdress of Medusa in Greek mythology.

Distribution and ecology: Hoya medusa was collected by local collectors in Luzon Island, Mt. Cetaceo and has been in cultivation, circulated by local plant nurseries and plant hobbyists. It was first collected in low montane forest at 500 to 1,000 m where it was growing as an epiphyte in disturbed primary broadly leaf and mossy forest in full sun to part shade.

 Miguel David De Leon, Derek Cabactulan, Ryu D. Cuerdo and Michele Rodda. 2023. A New Species of Hoya R.Br. (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae) from the Philippines. PhytoKeys. 222: 19-26. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.222.98275

[Botany • 2023] Cyrtopodium valebellae (Orchidaceae: Cymbidieae) • A New Overlooked Species from the Southern Andean Yungas and Chaco Serrano Ecoregions of Northern Argentina and Southwestern Bolivia

Cyrtopodium valebellae  

in Batista, Valebella & Cruz-Lustre, 2023.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.587.3.6  

 facebook.com/GabrielaCruz92102564

Abstract

Cyrtopodium valebellae, a new species from northwestern Argentina and southwestern Bolivia, is described, illustrated, and compared with morphologically similar taxa. The species is similar to C. virescens in general morphology and flower colour but differs in floral morphology details, particularly in lip morphology and geographic distribution. All known records are from the Southern Andean Yungas and Chaco Serrano ecoregions, indicating that the species is endemic to these regions. Cyrtopodium valebellae has been known since 1965 but has been misidentified so far with C. paniculatum, C. punctatum or C. virescens. The new species was first noticed through photographs available on online biodiversity platforms, highlighting its usefulness as a complementary source of data for discovering new species.

Keywords: citizen science, endemism, online biodiversity databases, Taxonomy, xerophytic vegetation, Monocots

João A. N. Batista, Miriam Valebella, Gabriela Cruz-Lustre. 2023. A New Overlooked Species of Cyrtopodium (Cymbidieae, Orchidaceae) from the Southern Andean Yungas and Chaco Serrano Ecoregions of Northern Argentina and Southwestern Bolivia.  Phytotaxa. 587(3); 283-293. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.587.3.6 

  facebook.com/GabrielaCruz92102564/posts/6155952501167438

 facebook.com/LudmilaPizarro7/posts/5863827907047995

[Botany • 2018] Hornstedtia garbosa (Zingiberaceae: Alpinieae) • A New Species from Mindanao, Philippines

Hornstedtia garbosa Naive & Alejandro,

in Naive & Alejandro, 2018. 

  DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.347.2.6

Abstract 

Hornstedtia garbosa Naive & Alejandro, a new endemic species from southern Philippines, is here described and illustrated. This new species is comparable to H. microcheila Ridl. and H. sanhan M.F. Newman but distinct by its obovate labellum which is white with a red centre. Information on habitat and ecology as well as notes on its similarity to other probably allied species of the genus are provided. An identification key to the five recognized Philippine Hornstedtia species is also included. 

Key words: Alpinioideae, Hornstedtia, Northern Mindanao, Philippines, Zingiberales

Hornstedtia garbosa Naive & Alejandro sp. nov.  

Diagnosis: Hornstedtia garbosa is closely similar to Hornstedtia microcheila but differs significantly in having scarlet red corolla lobes, white with red along centre, obovate labellum and a broader, bright red involucral bracts. It is also allied to Hornstedtia sanhan of Vietnam, however, it is distinct in the shape of the lip, and in having an involucral bracts with glabrous margins and sharply pointed apex.

Etymology: From the Bisaya dialect in the Philippines, which means beautiful, elegant, attractive, and jaunty, alluring to the inflorescence of this delightful Zingiberaceae species; noun in apposition. 

Vernacular name: Pinoon, Tagbac (local people in the type locality).

Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. It has only been recorded so far in northern Mindanao on Sitio Lantawon, Aposkahoy, Claveria, Misamis Oriental. 

 Ecology: Found growing in stony banks in degraded primary forest with dark and humid environment along the river at elevation of 1,115–1,120 m asl. 

       

  Mark Arcebal K. Naive and Grecebio Jonathan D. Alejandro. 2018. Hornstedtia garbosa (Zingiberaceae: Alpinieae), A New Species from Mindanao, Philippines.  Phytotaxa. 347(2); 183-188. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.347.2.6

 facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2066522770042992

 

  

[Arachnida • 2023] Euoplos dignitas • A New Species of Endangered Giant Trapdoor Spider (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Idiopidae) from the Brigalow Belt of inland Queensland, Australia

Euoplos dignitas

Rix, Wilson & Oliver, 2023

 DOI: 10.1636/JoA-S-21-056 

 twitter.com/2fangs8legs

 Abstract 

A new species of giant trapdoor spider, Euoplos dignitas sp. nov. (family Idiopidae), is described from the Brigalow Belt of inland Queensland, Australia. Phylogenetic analysis of a six gene molecular dataset for the tribe Euoplini reveals that this species is sister to the spinnipes-group from eastern Queensland, and unrelated to a morphologically similar congener (E. grandis Wilson & Rix, 2019) that occurs further south in the Brigalow Belt. Both E. dignitas sp. nov. and E. grandis are very large, scopulate, plug door-building trapdoor spiders from transitional woodland habitats on vertosols (‘black soils’), with superficially similar females and strongly sexually-dimorphic ‘honey-red’ males. Information on the known biology and distribution of E. dignitas sp. nov. is summarized, and a conservation assessment is provided under the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List Criteria, indicating that this species is likely Endangered.

KEYWORDS: Avicularioidea, biogeography, Bipectina, Domiothelina, phylogeny, taxonomy

  

Michael G. Rix, Jeremy D. Wilson and Paul M. Oliver. 2023. A New Species of Endangered Giant Trapdoor Spider (Mygalomorphae: Idiopidae: Euoplos) from the Brigalow Belt of inland Queensland, Australia. The Journal of Arachnology. 51(1); 27-36. DOI: 10.1636/JoA-S-21-056

  twitter.com/2fangs8legs/status/1636568886647885830

  twitter.com/qldmuseum/status/1636834851809525761

[Botany • 2023] Spiranthes hachijoensis (Orchidaceae: Orchidoideae) • A New Species within the S. sinensis Species Complex in Japan, based on Morphological, Phylogenetic, and Ecological Evidence

Spiranthes hachijoensis Suetsugu, 

in Suetsugu, Hirota, Hayakawa, Fujimori, Ishibashi, Hsu & Suyama, 2023. 

DOI: 10.1007/s10265-023-01448-6

Abstract

The systematics of the Old World Spiranthes sinensis (Pers.) Ames species complex (Orchidaceae) has been complicated by its wide distribution and morphological variations. Within the species complex, S. australis Lindl. has been generally accepted as the only Spiranthes Rich. species distributed on the Japanese mainland. The present study provides morphological, phylogenetic, and ecological evidence for the recognition of S. hachijoensis Suetsugu as a new species of the S. sinensis species complex on the Japanese mainland. Spiranthes hachijoensis is morphologically similar to S. hongkongensis S.Y. Hu & Barretto and S. nivea T.P. Lin & W.M. Lin, sharing a degenerated rostellum, pollinia without a viscidium, and distinctly trilobed stigma. However, the taxon can be morphologically distinguished from S. hongkongensis by its glabrous rachis, ovaries, and sepals, and from S. nivea by its papillate labellum disc, larger papillate basal labellum callosities, and glabrous rachis, ovaries, and sepals. The autogamy and flowering phenology (i.e., earlier flowering) of S. hachijoensis are most likely responsible for premating isolation from the sympatric S. australis. A MIG-seq-based high-throughput molecular analysis indicated that the genetic difference between S. hachijoensis and its putative sister species S. sinensis is comparable to, or even greater than, the genetic difference between pairs of other species within the S. sinensis species complex. Our multifaceted approach strongly supports the recognition of S. hachijoensis as a morphologically, phenologically, phylogenetically, and ecologically distinct species.

 

Keywords: Integrative taxonomy, Orchidaceae, Reproductive isolation, SNP data, Speciation, Species delimitation, Spiranthes sinensis species complex

Spiranthes hachijoensis in its natural habitat in Japan.
a–d Flowering individual observed on Hachijo Island.
e, f Flowering individual observed in Ichihara-shi, Chiba Pref. g Flowering individual observed in Kimitsu-shi, Chiba Pref. h Flowering individual observed in Nagoya-shi, Aichi Pref. i Flowering individual observed in Kagoshima-shi, Kagoshima Pref.

 Scale bars: 30 mm

Spiranthes hachijoensis Suetsugu, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Spiranthes hachijoensis is most morphologically similar to S. hongkongensis but can be distinguished by its glabrous rachis, ovaries, and sepals.

Japanese name: Hachijo-neji-bana. ネジバナ

Kenji Suetsugu, Shun K. Hirota, Hiroshi Hayakawa, Shohei Fujimori, Masayuki Ishibashi, Tian-Chuan Hsu and Yoshihisa Suyama. 2023. Spiranthes hachijoensis (Orchidaceae), A New Species within the S. sinensis Species Complex in Japan, based on Morphological, Phylogenetic, and Ecological Evidence. Journal of Plant Research. DOI: 10.1007/s10265-023-01448-6

[Ichthyology • 2023] Nemateleotris lavandula • Synopsis of the ptereleotrine Goby Genus Nemateleotris (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae), with Description of A New Species from the western and central Pacific Ocean

 

A, N. helfrichi, underwater photograph from Rarotonga, Cook Islands; B, Nemateleotris lavandula, new species, underwater photograph from Siaes Tunnel, Palau;
C, head profiles of N. helfrichi (left) and N. lavandula, new species, (right) showing difference in colouration of the head and maxilla; D, N. magnifica, underwater photograph from Bali;
E–F, N. decora, showing variability in colouration of the anterior body, underwater photograph from Fiji and the Maldives (the latter = N. exquisita sensu Randall & Connell, 2013) respectively.

 Tea & Larson, 2023

 RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 71;

  twitter.com/FishGuyKai 

Photographs by: A, P.Jaletzky; B, R. Spangler; C, Y.K. Tea; D, V. Chalias; E, J. Heard; F, M. Harada.

 Abstract

 Nemateleotris lavandula, new species, is described on the basis of the holotype from Augulupelu Reef, Palau, and twelve paratypes from across the western and central Pacific Ocean, including Fiji, Guam, Japan, and the Marshall Islands. The new species was previously confused with Nemateleotris helfrichi, but molecular analysis of mitochondrial COI reveals a difference of 1% in sequence data between both species, in addition to differences in morphometric measurements, live, and preserved colouration details. Both species are allopatric and do not overlap in distribution. The new species is readily separated from all congeners based on the following combination of characters: body lavender to lilac in life; maxilla unmarked, bright yellow in life; caudal fin truncate to weakly emarginate, unmarked, pale yellowish green in life; and snout, lower jaw, preopercle, and postorbital region bright yellow in life. We comment on the relationships among species of Nemateleotris, the taxonomic status of N. exquisita, and the doubtful identity of Zagadkogobius ourlazon. A revised key to species of Nemateleotris is provided. 

Key words. dartfish, mesophotic, gobioid, Ptereleotrinae, Microdesminae

head profiles of N. helfrichi (left) and N. lavandula, new species, (right)
showing difference in colouration of the head and maxilla

A–C, Nemateleotris helfrichi; D–F, Nemateleotris lavandula, new species.
A, BPBM 11595, holotype, 43.3 mm SL, Tahiti, Society Islands; B, USNM 410981, 35.6 mm SL, Moorea, Society Islands, French Polynesia; C, ZRC 61811, 62.4 mm SL, aquarium specimen from the Cook Islands;
D, BPBM 10153, paratype (also paratype of N. helfrichi), 30.9 mm SL, Rigili Islet, Enewetak Atoll, Marshall Islands; E–F, ZRC 62990, paratypes, 36.1 mm SL and 29.8 mm SL respectively, aquarium specimens from Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, Micronesia.

Photographs by: A, C, D, J.E. Randall; B, J.T. Williams; E, F, H.H. Tan.

Nemateleotris lavandula, new species 

Lavender-blushed Dartfish

Diagnosis. Nemateleotris lavandula is most similar to N. helfrichi, sharing with it the following combination of characters and live colouration details to the exclusion of all other Nemateleotris: caudal fin truncate to weakly emarginate; dorsoposterior ctenoid scales with fewer than 10 ctenii; elevated portion of first dorsal fin blue on anterior edge; median fins pale yellowish green, caudal fin without any markings, outermost edge of second dorsal and anal fin tipped with a yellow or orange spot, one in each interradial membrane space; body lavender to lilac in life; pelvic fins black-tipped; dorsal edge of iris with a black mark at 1 o’clock position, sometimes continuing onto interorbital space as a short streak. It is readily separated from N. helfrichi and all other congeners based on the following: maxilla unmarked (bright yellow in life, pale tan in preservation); and snout, lower jaw, preopercle, and postorbital region bright yellow in life.

Etymology. The species is named lavandula, after the genus of Lavandula flowering plants which includes the ornamental herb lavender, in reference to its beautiful colouration in life. To be treated as a noun in apposition.

Species of Nemateleotris and their putative hybrids.
A, N. helfrichi, underwater photograph from Rarotonga, Cook Islands; B, N. lavandula, new species, underwater photograph from Siaes Tunnel, Palau;
C, head profiles of N. helfrichi (left) and N. lavandula, new species, (right) showing difference in colouration of the head and maxilla; D, N. magnifica, underwater photograph from Bali;
E–F, N. decora, showing variability in colouration of the anterior body, underwater photograph from Fiji and the Maldives (the latter = N. exquisita sensu Randall & Connell, 2013) respectively;
G, putative N. magnifica × N. decora, underwater photograph from Izu Peninsula, Japan; H, putative N. magnifica × N. lavandula, new species, underwater photograph from Okinoerabu Island, Japan.

Photographs by: A, P.Jaletzky; B, R. Spangler; C, Y.K. Tea; D, V. Chalias; E, J. Heard; F, M. Harada; G, Y. Yamada; H, K. Uehara.

 

Frontal head profiles of selected species of Nemateleotris.
A, N. helfrichi, aquarium specimen from Cook Islands; B, N. lavandula, new species, ZRC 62990, paratype in life, specimen from Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, Micronesia; C, N. decora, underwater photograph from Bali, Indonesia; D, N. magnifica, underwater photograph from Bali, Indonesia.

Photographs by: A, B-box Aquarium, Japan; B, H.H. Tan; C–D, V. Chalias.

Yi-Kai Tea and Helen K. Larson. 2023. Synopsis of the ptereleotrine Goby Genus Nemateleotris, with Description of A New Species from the western and central Pacific Ocean (Teleostei: Gobiidae). RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 71; 248–266.

  twitter.com/FishGuyKai/status/1636667427663785984

[PaleoMammalogy • 2023] The Fallow Deer Dama celiae sp. nov. with Two-pointed Antlers from the Middle Pleistocene of Madrid, A Contemporary of Humans with Acheulean Technology

Dama celiae  

van der Made, Rodríguez-Alba, Martos, Gamarra, Rubio-Jara, Panera & Yravedra, 2023

DOI: 10.1007/s12520-023-01734-3 

Reconstruction of the Manzanares valley. 

Other species present are Anas platyrhynchos, Equus ferus, Elephas (Palaeoloxodon) antiquus, Mauremys leprosa, Bison sp., Bos primigenius, and Stephanorhinus hemitoechus. 

artwork y J. Gamarra twitter.com/Gamarraptor

Abstract

We describe fossils of a new species of fallow deer, Dama celiae. It is the end member of the lineage Dama farnetensis–D. vallonnetensis–D. roberti–D. celiae, which reduced the number of points of the antler from four to two, while the parallel lineage leading to the living fallow deer evolved more complex and palmate antlers. The fossils are from localities Pedro Jaro I and Orcasitas in the + 25–30-m terrace of the Manzanares river, which is correlated to MIS9 (337–300 ka) and which also yielded fossils of Megaloceros matritensis, a recently named species, end member of a lineage that survived longer than previously believed. A younger terrace of the Manzanares yielded remains of Haploidoceros, a rare deer known from two older localities in southern France and one younger locality in Spain. So many rare deer species in this valley indicates either endemism and a very special environment or that the record of fossil deer is much less known than generally assumed. Until recently, the European Middle Pleistocene record of deer had only one middle-sized species at a time. Now, it appears that there were up to three contemporaneous species of the size of a fallow deer. Acheulean lithic assemblages have been documented from the same sites as Dama celiae. This species was contemporaneous to Neanderthals with Acheulean culture. Cut marks suggest that it was consumed by them and probably was hunted.

Keywords: New species, Cervidae, Evolution, Manzanares valley, Cut marks

Antlers of Dama celiae sp. nov.
 (1) MAN 73/58/PJ/39 + 21 + 26—left antler holotype from Pedro Jaro I: (a) left lateral view, (b) anterior view, (c) dorsal view. (2) MAN 73/58/PJ/24 main beam of right antler of the same individual: dorsal view, placed symmetrically with respect to the left antler. (3) MAN C37/V6—left frontal and basal antler and right frontal with pedicle from Orcasitas: (a) medial view of left antler, (b) lateral view of left antler, and (c) frontal view of both. (4) MAN 73/58/ORC-3—left shed antler from Orcasitas: (a) anterior, (b) lateral, and (c) dorsal views. (5) MAN 73/58/ORC-1—right antler of Dama celiae fom Orcasitas: (a) lateral and (b) medial views. (6) MSI 1962/13/32 + 33—left frontal and antler base + brow tine from Orcasitas. Figure 4 (6). (7) MAN 73/58/ CA K7/7–8—left shed antler from Orcasitas: (a) lateral view, (b) section. Scale bar approximate

Family Cervidae.

Genus Dama Frisch, 1775.

Species Dama celiae sp. nov.

Type locality and horizon:  Arenero de Pedro Jaro I, Manzanares valley, Madrid, Spain. Late Middle Pleistocene, probably MIS9-10.

Derivatio nominis: The species is named in honor of Celia Casado Sarrión.

Diagnosis: Middle-sized Cervidae. Males with antlers with large upwards-directed brow tines and main beams directed backwards and curving laterally and again backwards, without important upward curvature and without signs of further bifurcation, important flattening or palmation. The bifurcation between brow tine and main beam is situated low above the burr.

Differential diagnosis: Dama celiae differs from Dama roberti and other species of Dama in having a long main beam without bifurcation or the flattening that preceedes such a bifurcation (or if it would have had such a bifurcation, it would be situated much further from the burr). Dama celiae differs from Haploidoceros in that the bifurcation between brow tine and main beam is situated much lower above the burr and that the main beam does not curve upward and then foreward. Dama celiae differs from R. eldii in that the main beam of the antler does not curve upward in its distal part and in not having minor tines.

Reconstruction of Dama celiae in the Manzanares valley. Other species present are Anas platyrhynchos, Equus ferus, Elephas (Palaeoloxodon) antiquus, Mauremys leprosa, Bison sp., Bos primigenius, and Stephanorhinus hemitoechus.

(artwork y J. Gamarra)

 

Jan van der Made, Juan José Rodríguez-Alba, Juan Antonio Martos, Jesús Gamarra, Susana Rubio-Jara, Joaquín Panera and José Yravedra. 2023. The Fallow Deer Dama celiae sp. nov. with Two-pointed Antlers from the Middle Pleistocene of Madrid, A Contemporary of Humans with Acheulean Technology. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences.15: 41. DOI: 10.1007/s12520-023-01734-3

  twitter.com/Gamarraptor/status/1635719408696819723

[Herpetology • 2023] Cyrtopodion vindhya • A New Species of Naked-toed Gecko Cyrtopodion sensu lato (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Gujarat, India

Cyrtopodion vindhya

Patel, Thackeray, Mirza & Vyas, 2023 

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5254.3.6 

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Abstract

We describe a new species of naked-toed gecko of the genus Cyrtopodion Fitzinger, 1843, from the Dahod and Panchmahal districts of Gujarat state, India. The new species is diagnosable by the following suite of characters: a medium-sized Cyrtopodion (adult, snout to vent length up to 50 mm); dorsal scalation on trunk granular, intermixed with enlarged, regularly arranged transverse rows of 15 trihedral tubercles; 6 transverse rows of tubercles on the second segment of the tail; midbody scale rows across belly 20–22; midventral scales 89–97; males with a continuous series of 29–33 precloacal-femoral pores. The new species, Cyrtopodion vindhya sp. nov. is the fifth endemic species of reptile described in the last 15 years from the state of Gujarat that highlights the rich and unique diversity of this understudied region.

Keywords: Reptilia, endemic, Gekkonid lizard, morphology, taxonomy, Vindhya hills

Harshil Patel, Tejas Thackeray, Zeeshan A. Mirza and Raju Vyas. 2023. A New Species of Naked-toed Gecko Cyrtopodion sensu lato (Squamata: Sauria: Gekkonidae) from Gujarat, India. Zootaxa. 5254(3); 398-412. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5254.3.6 

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[Ichthyology • 2023] Characidium fleurdelis • A New sexually dichromatic Miniature Characidium (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from the rio Guaporé, rio Madeira Basin, Brazil, with Remarkable Morphological Novelties to the Genus

Characidium fleurdelis

 Zanata, Oliveira-Silva & Ohara, 2023

DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-2022-0059   

Abstract

A new miniature species of Characidium is described from the midde rio Guaporé, rio Madeira basin, Rondônia, Brazil. The new species can be readily distinguished from all congeners by the sexual dichromatism, with females having narrow dark bars on body absent in males, and by the presence, in both sexes, of a black midventral dashed line extending from area between contralateral pectoral fins to at least the anal-fin origin. It can also be diagnosed from congeners by having strongly tricuspid teeth, with well developed and similar sized cusps in the premaxilla and outer series of dentary, and short lateral line with 6–8 perforated scales. Morphological novelties to Characidium observed in the new species include a rounded process on the first pleural rib near the vertebra, three or four haemal spines of the first caudal vertebrae distinctly elongate, neural and haemal spines of the antepenultimate vertebra not reaching origins of dorsal and ventral procurrent rays nor the origin of the caudal-fin rays.

Keywords: Amazon fishes; First rib; Haemal spine; Sexual dimorphism; Tricuspid teeth

Characidium fleurdelis:
 A. Holotype, MZUSP126956, female, 21.6 mm standard length, lateral view;
 B. Paratype, UFBA 9234, female, 22.9 mm SL, lateral, dorsal and ventral views;
C. Paratype, UFBA 9234, female, 23.8 mm SL, lateral view; D. Paratype, UFBA 9234, male, 20.6 mm SL, lateral view; E. Paratype, UFBA 9233, juvenile, 17.4 mm SL, lateral view.
All from rio Guaporé sub basin, rio Madeira basin, Rondônia, Brazil.

Characidium fleurdelis, paratypes, INPA 59848, lateral view:
A. Freshly preserved specimens, top male, 22.2 mm SL; bottom mature female with ovocytes seen by transparency on belly as a yellowish area, 24.1 mm SL;
B. Live specimens, top male, 20.6 mm SL; bottom mature female, 24.0 mm SL. All from rio Guaporé sub basin, rio Madeira basin, Rondônia, Brazil.

Characidium fleurdelis, new species

 

 Diagnosis. Characidium fleurdelis differs from congeners, except C. longum, C. pellucidum, and C. pteroides by having teeth in the premaxilla and outer series of dentary strongly tricuspid, with three well developed and similar sized cusps (Fig. 2) (vs. teeth uni- or if tricuspid with median cusp distinctly larger; e.g., Agudelo-Zamora et al., 2020, Fig. 4; Melo et al., 2021; Figs. 3A,B). The new species differs from the aforementioned congeners by the presence of a dark (occasionally interrupted) narrow midlateral stripe on the body (vs. absence of dark midlateral stripe), the presence of a black midventral dashed line extending from area between contralateral pectoral fins to at least the anal-fin origin (Fig. 1B) (vs. absence of interrupted black line throughout ventral midline of body in C. longum and C. pteroides, and midventral black line restricted to the area posterior to pelvic fins in C. pellucidum), and the presence of sexual dichromatism, with females having narrow dark bars on laterals of body and males without it (Figs. 1, 5) (vs. sexual dichromatism absent). Characidium fleurdelis also differs from the three aforementioned species and remaining congeners, except C. bahiense Almeida, 1971, C. cacah Zanata, Ribeiro, Araújo-Porto, Pessali & Oliveira-Silva, 2020, C. chicoi Graça, Ota & Domingues, 2019, C. interruptum Pellegrin, 1909, C. laterale (Boulenger, 1895), C. mirim Netto-Ferreira, Birindelli Buckup, 2013, C. nana Mendonça & Netto-Ferreira, 2015, C. nupelia Graça, Pavanelli & Buckup, 2008, C. rachovii Regan, 1913, C. stigmosum Melo & Buckup, 2002, and C. xavante Graça, Pavanelli Buckup, 2008, by having a short lateral line with 6–8 perforated scales (vs. lateral line with more than 14 perforated scales). The new species can be distinguished from C. cacah, C. chicoi, C. mirim, C. nana, C. nupelia, C. stigmosum, and C. xavante by the presence of adipose fin (vs. absence), from C. bahiense and C. laterale by having two dentary teeth rows (vs. one), from C. rachovii by the absence of roundish black marks on the pelvic, dorsal, and anal fins (vs. presence) and from C. interruptum by having 12 circumpeduncular scales (vs. 14). Other features useful to diagnose the new species from most congeners includes: first pleural rib with a rounded process posteriorly directed near the vertebra (Fig. 3A) (vs. absence of such a process or, if present, triangular or L shaped); neural and haemal spines of the antepenultimate vertebra not reaching origins of dorsal and ventral procurrent rays, respectively, nor the origin of the caudal-fin rays (Fig. 3B) (vs. neural and haemal spines of the antepenultimate vertebra reaching origins of procurrent rays or the origin of the caudal-fin rays); and three to four haemal spines of caudal vertebrae anterior to the anal fin flattened and distinctly elongate (Figs. 3C, D) (vs. haemal spines anterior to the first anal-fin proximal radial with tapered tip, comparatively shorter than the neural spine of the same vertebra and similar in length or rarely longer than the haemal spines situated above the anal fin). See “Discussion” for additional comments.

Dentary of Characidium fleurdelis, UFBA 9234, paratype, male, 21.0 mm SL, outer view.

Etymology. Named in allusion to the similarity of the three pointed flower-like teeth of the species with a stylized flower called fleur-de-lis. Géry, (1960) was the first author, apparently, to point out the resemblance of such form of teeth with a fleur-de-lis in his description of Microcharacidium eleotrioides (Géry, 1960). Lily or iris, the flower upon which the emblem fleur-de-lis is historically related, was the flower of Hera, the Greek moon goddess, being the symbol of purity. Also, the fleur-de-lis is often related with the sacred lotus symbol for “plant” meaning “Tree of Life”. A noun in apposition.

A. Map with part of the rio Madeira basin, Brazil, showing the type locality (black star) of Characidium fleurdelis; symbol may represent more than one locality or lot.
B. Sampling locality of Characidium fleurdelis, Rondônia, Corumbiara town, Vitória da União district, stream tributary of rio Oimerê, tributary of rio Corumbiara, rio Guaporé sub basin, rio Madeira basin.

 

Angela Maria Zanata, Leonardo Oliveira-Silva and Willian M. Ohara. 2023. A New sexually dichromatic Miniature Characidium (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from the rio Guaporé, rio Madeira Basin, Brazil, with Remarkable Morphological Novelties to the Genus.  Neotrop. ichthyol. 21(1); DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-2022-0059    

Resumo: Uma nova espécie miniatura de Characidium é descrita do médio rio Guaporé, bacia do rio Madeira, Rondônia, Brasil. A nova espécie pode ser facilmente distinguida de todas as congêneres pelo dicromatismo sexual, com barras escuras estreitas no corpo das fêmeas ausentes nos machos, e por ter uma linha preta mediana ventral tracejada em ambos os sexos, que se estende da área entre as bases das nadadeiras peitorais até pelo menos a origem da nadadeira anal. A espécie também pode ser diagnosticada das congêneres por ter dentes fortemente tricúspides, com cúspides bem desenvolvidas e de tamanho semelhante no pré-maxilar e série externa do dentário, e linha lateral curta com 6–8 escamas perfuradas. Novidades morfológicas para Characidium observadas na nova espécie incluem presença de um processo arredondado na primeira costela pleural próximo à vértebra, três ou quatro espinhos hemais das primeiras vértebras caudais distintamente alongados, espinhos neurais e hemais da antepenúltima vértebra não atingindo as origens dos raios procorrentes dorsal e ventral, nem a origem dos raios da nadadeira caudal.

Palavras-chave: Dentes tricuspidados; Dimorfismo sexual; Espinho hemal; Peixes amazônicos; Primeira costela